Research confirms viability of geothermal energy storage using old gas well

Geothermal energy typically uses natural geothermal heat reservoirs under the ground.

But can we create artificial underground reservoirs for geothermal energy?

A research (by the Univ of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) has validated that we can use old gas wells as geothermal reservoirs.

Well, what is this all about?

Essentially, you identify an abandoned gas well that has a suitable infrastructure – typically naturing insulating environments – in place for storing heat for long periods. The study has validated that if hot fluids are poured into this “artificial reservoir”, the heat can be stored efficiently for at least a few days.

If concepts such as these are validated on larger scales, they promise an interesting, “green” use for tens of thousands of such abandoned gas wells around the world.